10/08/2014

Nature of MMO War - 3

"War is never an isolated act."

In MMOs one must look at the entire situation, rather than just a single battle. In PVE, a dungeon often consists of many small engagements, and a few larger engagements. In a strategic sense, how a group of players engages the entire dungeon to meet their goal of beating the content is just as important as each individual battle. In PVP, the smaller battles that happen do not just spring up for no reason at all, they in fact are outcomes based on the will of those participating in the game. Each event in the game is a step towards a future engagement, and the leader who can see in advance the outcome of the steps is indeed more prepared in the long run to defeat their enemy.

"It does not consist of a single instantaneous blow."

In MMOs one single battle of all forces does not bring about the final outcome of the game, instead it is a continuous sequence of battles over time. In most MMOs, PVE has a resolution through completion of content until a future expansion brings more challenges to the players. In PVP, many different mechanisms are used, often through continuous battles over terrain, or through ranking systems.

"The result in war is never absolute."

MMOs are unique in that the war never ends, and are continually subject to the process of strategy development and execution. Therefore, leaders much always strive to perfect their strategy given the changes within the MMO.

Welcome to The Art of MMO War

The purpose of this project is to take the writings of classic authors (such as Sun Tzu’s Art of War) and apply universal principles of war to modern Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs or MMOs).

Because these principles are studied by military strategists at length, and apply even today to modern military warfare, it is easy to deduce they can help to guild leaders, guild members, hardcore player versus player enthusiasts, as well as those who delight in playing against the artificial intelligence game designers develop in a player versus environment setting. It also at times includes suggestions to game designers on how to create worlds and mechanics to increase the joy players experience while adventuring.

Look at these writings as an insight towards the games you play, and how you play them. Even the most simple strategy can lead to the greatest triumph.